Prominent Houston Attorney Transitions To A Woman

Prominent Houston Attorney Transitions To A Woman, Finds Support From Law Firm And Clients!

(HOUSTON) — The transgender community just got a new face. A local Houston attorney has transitioned and is proud of her community and especially her law firm for their massive support.

Law firm Fish & Richardson isn’t named “Law Firm of The Year” by U.S. News for nothing. Danielle Joy “DJ” Healey, a litigator with the global firm, formally known as David Healey, said the firm worked with her to make it as easy as possible to announce her change to clients and to people at work.

Healey, a 57-year-old senior principal at the firm says; “They put an enormous amount of effort and time and energy into it. It just shows that the Fish family is really a family,” she told Law.com. Healey says she has known she was transgender since she was 4. “I’ve had to deal with. … It doesn’t change me as a person. It just allows me to live more fully and happily,” she said.

“We’re delighted that DJ was able to transition with the support of her firm. We would not say that is typical in any way, shape or form. Firms have a long way to go,” D’Arcy Kemnitz, executive director of the National LGBT Bar Association said.

In a released statement Fish & Richardson announced that
“Diversity and inclusion are crucial to the positive culture and success of our firm, and we treat everyone with respect and dignity at all times. DJ is a valued colleague and an important part of the Fish family, and we will support her completely in the months ahead.”

Ms. Healey graduated from the University of Texas School of Law in 1985 with honors and Brown University in 1982. Ms. Healey served as law clerk to the Honorable James DeAnda, United States District Judge, Southern District of Texas, from 1985-1987.